Teacher Starter Guide

In This Starter Guide

What Zapz Academy is • How Learning Paths work • Your role as a teacher • Simple integration ideas • Where to go next

What Is Zapz Academy?

Zapz Academy is a learning system designed to support the whole student — academically, emotionally, and in real life. It works alongside your existing curriculum, not in place of it. Instead of isolated activities, Zapz provides clear Learning Paths, small steps, and tools that respect student energy, attention, and emotional needs.

• Structured, step‑by‑step Learning Paths
• Support for reading, math, life skills, and digital skills
• Resources for teachers, parents, and hospital staff
• Designed for real classrooms — with interruptions, behavior needs, and mixed levels

How Learning Paths Work

Learning Paths are visual roadmaps that show what students are working on and what comes next. They help you plan, differentiate, and communicate progress without adding more guesswork.

You don’t need to memorize every path. The key idea: students always have a clear “next step,” and you can see it at a glance.

Your Role as a Teacher

You are the guide, not a machine. Zapz Academy is here to support your professional judgment, not replace it. Your role is to choose where Zapz fits best, adjust for your students, and use the tools to make learning more predictable and supportive.

• Use Learning Paths to plan and track progress
• Assign activities that match student readiness and energy
• Use Zapz for centers, small groups, or independent work
• Share key resources with families to strengthen partnership

Simple Ways to Start Using Zapz

1. Choose one class or group. Start with a single group (e.g., a reading group, intervention block, or homeroom).
2. Pick one Learning Path. Select either a grade‑level path or a skill path that matches their needs.
3. Assign one small step. Choose a single activity or lesson — keep it manageable.
4. Observe and adjust. Watch how students respond. Note who needs more support or challenge.
5. Repeat and expand. Once it feels smooth, extend to more students or another class period.

What to Do on Hard Days in the Classroom

Some days, the plan doesn’t match the room. Behavior, emotions, or external events can shift everything. Zapz is designed to flex with you.

• Switch to a shorter or lower‑demand activity on the path
• Use Life Skills or creativity‑based tasks when focus is low
• Build in regulation breaks or movement between steps
• Pause the path entirely if safety or emotional needs come first

One disrupted day does not erase progress. Consistency over time matters more than perfection.

Simple Phrases You Can Use with Students

Language can shift how students see themselves as learners. These phrases support agency, effort, and emotional safety:

• “Let’s just try the first step together.”
• “You don’t have to get it perfect — we’re practicing.”
• “Notice what you did today that you couldn’t do last week.”
• “If this feels too big, we can break it into smaller pieces.”
• “You’re allowed to grow at your pace — we’ll keep moving together.”

Where to Go Next